|
| Karim
Nayani, Executive Officer, Amyn Dossa, Chairman,
and Eijaz Akram, Search and Rescue Consultant,
of Focus Humanitarian Assistance Pakistan,
are presented with the Sitara-e-Eisaar Award
by the Government of Pakistan.
Click on photo for larger image. |
Islamabad,
Pakistan 30 June, 2006 – The President
of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, General Pervez
Musharraf, today conferred the award “Sitara-e-Eisaar”
upon Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS), an affiliate
of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The
award was bestowed to the humanitarian agency in
the presence of the Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz
in recognition of its outstanding efforts in rescue
and relief operations following the 8th October
2005 earthquake.
Mr
Amyn Dossa, Chairman of FOCUS Pakistan, received
the medal of recognition on behalf of FOCUS at a
special investiture ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Sadr
(President House), Islamabad. Accompanying him was
Mr Karim Nayani, Executive Officer of FOCUS Pakistan.
In
his speech, President Musharraf explained that the
Sitara-e-Eisaar is the highest award in Pakistan
given for sacrifice and humanitarian relief work.
The President honoured the fortitude, resolve and
dignity of civil society organisations who mitigated
the grief of those who has lost their own resources
and loved ones.
In
the aftermath of the earthquake, FOCUS extended
its assistance in Islamabad through the immediate
deployment of its Search and Rescue teams at the
fallen Margalla Towers, and subsequently in a number
of the worst affected surrounding regions.
Four
helicopters from the Aga Khan Foundation were deployed
in the relief effort.
In addition, over 1,500 volunteers assisted with
the delivery of over a million kilograms of relief
items to affected communities in the remotest parts
Azad Jammu and Kashmir and North West Frontier
Province. FOCUS also reached the most vulnerable
communities in Battagram, Balakot, Bagh and Mansehra.
As
part of the relief effort, FOCUS also provided
basic first aid and transported over 1,000 casualties
to health facilities for further attention.
Focus
Humanitarian Assistance was established in Pakistan
in 1998 and has since responded to over a dozen
natural and man-made disasters by providing emergency
relief especially in the mountainous areas of the
Northern Areas, the North West Frontier Province
and Sindh. As part of FOCUS’ commitment towards
preparing communities to become disaster resilient,
over 25,000 volunteers have been trained in search
and rescue and community-based disaster risk management
capabilities. FOCUS also continues to assist communities
in proactively mitigating the challenges of natural
disasters, including landslides, flooding and river
erosion mitigation projects.
Focus Humanitarian Assistance is an international
group of agencies established in Europe, North America
and South Asia to complement the provision of emergency
relief, principally in the developing world. It
helps people in need reduce their dependence on
humanitarian aid and facilitates their transition
to sustainable self-reliant, long-term development.
Focus Humanitarian Assistance is affiliated with
the Aga Khan Development Network, a group of institutions
working to improve opportunities and living conditions,
for people of all faiths and origins, in specific
regions of the developing world. Underlying the
establishment of FOCUS by the Ismaili Muslim community
is a history of successful initiatives to assist
people struck by natural and man-made disasters
in South and Central Asia, and Africa.
For
more information, please contact,
Focus
Humanitarian Assistance, Pakistan
A. Karim Nayani
Executive Officer, Focus Humanitarian Assistance,
Pakistan
Block 14, Civic Centre, G-6, Islamabad
Pakistan
Tel:+ 92 51 220 1018/1134
Fax: + 92 51220 1976
Email: executiveoffice@focushumanitarianpk.org
Web: www.akdn.org/focus
Iffat Salaam
Communications Officer
Focus Humanitarian Assistance
Email: iffat.salaam@focushumanitarian-europe.org
Web: www.akdn.org/focus
